This story starts about a year ago. I have had my GSL-SE around 3-4 months now. So the alternator goes bad, I replace it. My friend goes to jump me, and puts the clamps on the wrong posts

I start it unknowingly.

No problem, just a little smoke from under the hood. Oh, great. I check it, it's just a little wire, so he makes sure it's not exposed, makes a new insulation/sheath and I'm good to go. Now the radio doesn't work.

I put a new radio in, no cigar. New amps, nothing, fail.

Now, the radio will turn on, find stations, save them, the whole 9 yards. But there's no output whatsoever. No cracking, hum, nothing at all.

In my readings on here (the magical search button) I have come to find it is possible it is the fusable link. I checked, and thats what I burnt previously. Is it plausable that if I replace the fusable links I will have radio again? Everything works besides that. It's an 84 GSL-SE. No modifications.

 

Sounds like you fried the wires going to the speakers if there is no output. If the stereo will turn on etc, i dont think the fusible links are the problem.

Is it aftermarket radio, wat brand. It may have an "out" fuse. Some of them come equipped with it so you dont fry your speaks in the even of a short.

 

Yea what do you mean by "new radio"? New oem or some new single or double din. "new amps?" What does that mean??

 

I missed new amps, i bet you blew one of the safety fuses that new amps have in them. Check all the fuses in your stereo setup than get back to us

 

Everything is OEM, out of donor GSL-SE's, or other FB's with the premium sound, double din with cassette, equalizer. Nothing on my car is aftermarket, besides the air filter.

 

Where exactly are all the fuses besides the fuse block inside of the cabin on the driver's side? Also, I don't have a diagram for it. It's just a cover. (the fuse block, that is)

 

is it aftermarket radio and amps or new oem

Did you ever run new wires. Check the amp outs, can use a tester and test each channel. If nothing out of amp, make sure your preouts on the deck are plugged into the right place.

IF used oem, i dont know, consult a wiring diagram?

 

Used oem. Same ones that came out, just swapped them.

 

Hum check the service manual there is a chapter on the stock audio systems. You'll need to trace stuff for power flow. I don't know if there are fuses downstream.

 

It's pretty easy to check the fusible links with an ohmmeter and they sell link material in a bubble pack at the autostore. I think you can even check the old link visually, too. I got a cheap multimeter at Radio Shack several years ago that has a 'continuity tester' that rings a little buzzer if the wire is good, which makes it much easier to use since you don't have to glance at the meter, you just listen for the buzzer.

 

I might just replace the fusible links with the block style ones as in the archive and continue on from there...I'm absolutely terrible with electronics.

 

In the online 1985 service manual (see faq for link) look at the procedures under the Body Electric Chapter 15 - pg 62.

 

Two things to check:

1. See if you have power to the stereo (sounds like you do according to what you've written).

2. See if you have power to the amps (this is where I'd place my bet).

That should narrow things down for you...

 

Yea that why I was pointing to the manual is has a way to check the amps.

It if was the fuse links the radio would not even come on. Once they burn they are toast by design.

 

As stated, sounds like the amps aren't turning on. If the amp is turning on, then look into the wires going to each speaker. Its not likely, but possible that all of them have burnt up somehow.

 

Amps are not getting power.

Believe it or not, the factory radio also has a tiny "bulb" style fuse INSIDE of it. Could be the culprit if you cant find another source of the power outage.

 

Chances are if the radio is getting proper power and doing everything it should, its not a problem with the internal fuse.

Just as a side note, almost all radios have an internal glass cylinder type fuse for the power to the circuit boards. All but one of the car radios I've taken apart have them. Its normally a 3 amp fuse.